Garment-pressing machine



Apri1 5,19z7. 1,623,358 H. E. PAGE GARMEN T PRES SFI NG MACH I`N E @riginal Filed March lO, 1923 4 Sheets- Sheet 1 mi m 4 MMM@ H. E. PAGE GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE April 5, 1927. i ,62,358

original Filed March v 10, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 '1"62313'58' Aprll 5*, 1927. H. E. PAGE y y GARMENTPRESSING MAcriiINE Original Filed March -10, `1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A ril 5 1927.

p H. E. PAGE GARMENT PRESSING MACHINE original' Filed March 1o, lzs 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT orties.

HERBERT E. PAGE, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES HOFF- MAN MACHINERY CORPORATION, F NEW\ YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE.

GARMENT-PRESSING MACHINE.

Application led March 10, 1923, Serial No. 624.146. AIltenewed September 18, 1926.

This invention ertains to garment pressing machines, andpmore particularly to that type wherein motor means is employed .to etl'ect a final heavy pressure which in certain pressing operations is highly desirable. Such a press generally employs means, actuated by the operator to close the same, to secure the initial pressure upon the garment, the motor thereafter coming into operation to effect .the final or so-called heavy pressure upon the garment.

The present invention has for its main object the provision of means for automatically unlocking and opening the press after the heavy pressure has been exerted and is released. Such means also embodies devices whereby manual opening or release of the press is prevented while the heavy pressure is on,-a point ot' manifest advantage. Heretofore, in the operation of power presses, the operators have manually released or opened the press while the heavy pressure was being exerted, thereby causing damage to and breakage of the parts, as the press snaps open under such conditions with considerable force. The structure is such, however, that the press may be opened by the operator without the actuation of the automaticv mechanism, provided the power device has not been brought into operation. In other words, an interlock .is provided between the power mechanism andthe release devices which prevents the manual actuation of the latter when the heavy pressure is effective.

A ress embodying my invention isillustrate in the annexed drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section. with the press in its open position;

Fig. 2 a similar view, the press being closed and the parts in position to effect heavy or final pressure;

Fig. 3 a detail sectional elevation of the combineddnterlock and ykickoff or release mechanism Fig. 4 a' front elevation of said arts with vthe main and release treadles brolien away;

Fig. 5 a detail vertical sectional viewon the line V-V of Fig. 3 illustrating more particularly the gravitating locking latch;

Fig. 6 `a side elevation, partly in section, of the lower portion of the press, withv the parts in the open position of the press; and

.draw the toggles into their broken position,

Fig..7 a like view with the press closed, and tnal or heavy pressure applied.

In said drawings, 1 denotes tlie'main frame of the machine upon which is mounted a fixed buck'2. Pivotally mounted upon the `upper endof an upward extension or arm 3 of the main frame is a lever 4 having secured at its forward end a press 'head 5. Saidhead and buck may be of any form and provided "with the usual finish or covering according to the work being undertaken. The head is designed to be moved toward the buck through the depression of a lever 6, provided at its forward end with a treadle 7, the lever heilig fulcrumed at its rear end upon a shaft v 19 mounted in suitable bearing in theA lower rear portion of the main frame 1. -To effect the lowering of the head, lever v6 has con@ nected to it a link 8, the upper'end of-.,.which 1s connected to one element 9 of a-toggle, the other element of which is designated by10. Said latter element is pivotally connected at its outer end to the lower element 11 of a second toggle, the upper element whereof is denoted by 12 and which in turn is pivotally connected to the lever 4. A yielding pressure element 13 is embodied in the toggle element 12. The lower toggle element 11 is pivotally connected at 14 to a rocker member 15` fulcrumed upon the base of the machine yat 16. Said member 15 is bifurcated at its inner'end andstraddles an annular bearing v member 17 in which is mounted a cani 18 se- 85 cured to shaft 19. In closing the press throu h depression of the lever 6, link 8 Strang tens the tog le, composed of the ele- I ments 9 and 10, and: carries the toggle 11,12, from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a right line position shown in Fig. 2, and through the straightening of these two toggles the l lever 4 is rocked about its fulcrum and the head 5 caused to move downwardly and into contact with the oods or garment at such time upon the buc `2. A coil spring 20 secured at one end to the frame 1 and at its oppositel end to theI ivotal connection between the link 16 an the link 11, serv to 10C or, in other words, the spring is stressed wher the toggles are straightened, as in Fig. 2, and the moment the togglell, 10, is broken,v the? spring will tend to move the parts to the without ditliculty..

.to be applied to the'garment being position shown in Fig. 1, it being understood that the lever 4 is counterweighted, as at 2 1, so that the head ma bev moved upwardly am 18 is designedto` actuate the rocker 15 when heavy pressure 4i's pressed.

*'In Fig. 1 the cam is in its lowest position and so remains when the press -is initially closed i through the operation of the lever .6. After the head is initially closed, or, in otherwords,

- initial pressure is effected between the pressing elements, the o erator throws in a switch, f shortly to be described, and through a. motor and. suitable gearing,causes the cam to 'rotate from the position show n in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 2, thus liftmg the outer end of the rocker and applying a direct thrust tov .the lever 4 through the then straightenedv toggle elements 11, 12, and' exerting such thrust through lever 4 to the head 5.

The motor, indicated by 22, drives a worm i 23 mounted in(a sui-table housing and intermeshing with. a worm gear24 secured to a shaft-25, which lattercarrles a pinion 26. Said. pinion meshes witha gear 27 secured upon the shaft 1 9, which, as above noted, likewise carries the cam 1 8. It will thus be fixed to the r I ward and downward throw of the switch varm 34. A sliding rod 40 extends outwardly.

bis mounted a spring!v 42 which normally stopfor the switch Iarm `and normally holds the same in such position that the switch isy 1 seen thatlactuation o f the gear train through the-motor 22 will cause a movement of the rocker 15 and apply heavy pressure, as above noted, and likewise when the rocker is lowered, relieve such pressure. lTo control the operation of the motor,.shaft 19 carries a crank arm 28 and attached-'thereto is a pitman l29,'--the'upper end ofvhich has pivotally secured thereto a rod 30 mounted in llugs or ears 31 and 32 formed upon a 'switch box 33. A double throw switch is mountedv in the box and aV lever 34 is secured to vthe outer end of the switch actuating shaft- 35. I free end one end of a spring 36, the opposite end of the sprin being secured to a collar 37 30 and movable therewith. Stops .38 4and 39 are formed upon the face of the switch box and serve to limit the upbeneath the table of the machine, the inner end of the rod beingl mounted in a suitable bracket -41 between the'arms -of which there draws'the rod inwardly and projects its inner end intothe'pathof the outer endfof the switch arin'z34; In other'words, the inner end-of the member 40 .actsas an arresting open under certain conditions.` The switch contacts, not shown, are connected throughl .suitable wiring, as 43,-w.1th the motor 22.

When the press isclosed an initial pressure is-eifectedand the. cam 18 is in its low position, as shown in Fig.. 1'. The rod. 30 is likel wise in its lfow position,.and consequently the Said arm 34"has secured to its` switch arm 34 is heldagainst the upper face of the rod 40, or in a'neutral position. 'By

then pulling the rod 40 outwardly the switch arm 1s released, and the spring 36, which is then under tension, pulls the arm downwardly and establishes the current passing to the motor. The motor lthen comes into operation, turningthe shaft 19v and rotating -the cam therewith, thereby raising the rocker 15 and applying 'direct .thrust to the main or pressure exerting toggle, 11, 12.- As the shaft. 19 rotates, the pltman 29 is carried from' the.

the current. This will leave the cam inthe...

position shown in Fig. 2, with the heavy pressurel exerted through the main toggle to the movable press head. So long as the rod v 40 stays in and holds the switch arm against further movement such heavy pressure will be maintained.

This switch mechanism is not'of my inventlon land any other automatic switching mechanism may be employed. While the heavy pressure is on, as indicated at the outset, it is desirable that the operator be prevented from releasing the head and allowing the parts to jump'open, orthe release of s uch pressure through manual operation 1s llkely to .cause damage and breakage of the parts.

A bracket 42 is secured `to the lowerfront I portion of the frame' of the machine, and

)(lll pivotally attached thereto is 'a supplemental ,or kick-ofi' pedal 43 provided with an upstanding arm 44. Said arm 44lies along `lin side of a locking lever, denoted generally by 45, which latter is provided with an outwardlyextending pin 46 which stands in front of the arm 44 of the ,kick-off lever or pedal. The locking lever 45V is fulcrumed at 47 to a bracket 48 secured to the frame. 1, and its'lower end is normally 'drawn in- Wardly` by a spring 49 interposed between its upperend and the frame of the machine. Y

`The lower endof said lockingilever is cut away at itssinner side, formingk a lock-ing `shoulder 50 ladapted to ride over anden age a roller 51 securedy upon the side face o the main treadle lever 6 when said treadle lever. yis depressed orl brought 'to the-position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. When the machine is beingoperated by the operator, Withoutv the yexertion of the nal heavy pressure, the

operator may, upon depressing the kick-'off pedal V43,'force the lowerend of the locking.

lever 45 outwardly through contact of the arm 44'and the pln 46, thereby permitting the main lever 6 to be moved upwardly underthe stress of the spring and also through the buffer spring 52.

through which extends a rod 59, said -rod 15 remains elevated, owing to the fact that rod atv such time moving Cbeing supported for endwi 'movement in 'Jan eye-bolt 60secured to an carried by the inner end of the armv53. The rear end of the rod 59 is plvotally connected to an upstanding arm or lever 61 formed as an inte'- gral portion of the rocker element 15, and movable therewith as the same is rocked about its'supporting shaft 16. Thus an end-1 wise movement is imparted to the rod 59 each time the rocker is actuated. The rod carries a stop block or collar 62 located adja- -cent the inner face of the-U-shaped guide formed upon the gravitating lock 0r latch 55, thel outer end of the rod terminating adjacent a swinging' pawl or abutment 63 p ivoted at 64 upon the. lockinglei'fer, 45.. A

' pin 65 maintains the swinging abutment.

against movement in one direction beyond av predetermined limit, but..lallows it to swing clockwise when the rod 59, as will hereinafter appear, is elevated and moves rearwardly, and at such time contacts the gravitating pawl 63.

The operation .of the power mechanism and kick-ott' is as follows:

Assuming that the press has been closed by the operator by the depression of the treadle 7 which straightens the two toggles. and brings the head 5 down upon the buck, the parts assume the position above described and as shown in Fig. 2. So long as the rod 40 remains in, as shown in said figure, the switch is held out of operation and the rocker the cam 18 is turned upwardly or is in its -highest position. The heavy pressure whichthen obtains, may remain on as long as desired and the operator may pass to anothermachine, position the garment thereon, and

cloee the press. He can then return to the first machine and by merely pulling out the rod 40 release the switcharm 34, which, under the action of the spring 36 is drawn upwardly, again closing the circuit and bringing the motor1 into operation.A This rotates the cam and releases the heavy ressure, the ownwardly,

or to the position shown in Fig. 1, and when the spring 36 passes thecenter of the switch shaft 35 the switch arm will be drawn downwardly, breaking the cont-act. This breaking of the contact or circuit ktakes place when the cam. is in its lowest position with the rocker likewise lowered. The motor comes t'orest almost immediately after the circuit is-broken, and the parts are so timed that this is effected when the cam 18 comes to the position shown in Fig. 1 with the rocker thrown downwardly. As the rocker moves downwardly the arm 61 moves toy the right, .forcing the rod 59 forwardly causing the stop collar 62 to contact the U-shaped guide 58, and forcing the upper end of latch 55 out of engagement with the shoulder 54 of the inwardly extending arm 53. Thus` the lever is released in so far as locking of the latch is concerned, and upon a further forward movement of the rod 59 its end contacts the gravitating stop 63 and swings the lower end of the lever '45 outwardly thereby causing the shouldered portion to move ofi' of the roller 51, thus releasing the main treadle lever 6. The press then opens automatically under the action of the springs, as hereafter described.

After the press is closed by depressing the trea'dle and the motorA circuit is again established through the pulling out of the rod 40. the cam is rotated and the rocker elevated. During suchc upward movement of the rocker 15 the arm 61 is thrown rearward-ly, drawing with it the rod 59, the

vparts coming to the position shown in Fig.

2. It is to be kept in mind that when the lever 6 is depressed to its fullextent the locking lever 45 assumes the posit-ion shown in Fig. 3, and as a consequence the gravitating abutment or pawl 63 stands in the way of the elevation of the rod 59 which is carried up from the osition shown in Fig/1 to that shown in Figs. 2 and 3 by the eye 60 as thelowcr end of the lever 45 is swung inwardly to lock the treaflle. in lace. It is for this reason that the mem er 63 is pivoted so as to'allow the rod to move upwardly .and then'rearwardly to the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

lThe member 55 is, in effect, a lock for the locking lever or locking means 45. In other words, it is a lock for the lock, and prevents the release of the actuating lever 6 when the heavy pressure is to be exerted.

lVhat is claimed is,-

1. In a press, the combination of two l'e-laing means;v power actuated means forexert; ing heavy Vpressure between the pressing elements; and mechanism actuated by the power means to lock the locking means against release by the operator.

`2. In a press, the combination of two relal tively movable pressing elements; means adapted to be actuatedby the operator to move said elements into pressing relation; locking means to hold the aforesaid means against release movement; means vunder the control of the operator to release the lock-- mgv means; poweraetuated means for exerting heavy pressure lbetween the pressing elements; and mechanism actuated by the power fmeans to lock the locking means against release by the operator and to thereafterxunloek the locking means.

3. In a press, the combination of two relatively movable pressing elements; means adapted t be actuated by theoperator to move said elements into pressing relatlon;

locking means to hold the aforesaid means against release movement; means under the.`

. control of the operator to release the locking means; power actuated means for exerting heavy pressure between the pressing elements; and mechanism actuated by -the power` means to lock the locking 'means against release bythe operator, said mechlanism, upon release of the heavy pressure, acting to unlock the locking means and to movethe same tofrelease position.

4. In a press, the combination of two relatively movable pressing elements.; means adapted tobe actuated by the operator'to move said elements into' pressing relation;

a, locking lever adapted 'whenthe press is closed to normally'hold the same in such conv dition; means under the control of the opera- ,tor to release said locking lever; power actuated means to apply heavy pressure to the movable pressing elements when the l.same have been initially closed; andmeans azsociated with and actuated by said power means for locking the lever against Vmovement when heavy pressure is bein exerted and thereafter upon release of t e heavy pressure through the operation of the ,power mechanism, to move the lever from its locking position.

5. 'In a for swinging said lever comprising toggle mechanism; a treadle lever connected to said toggle mechanism and adapted when -moved downwardly to straighten the'togglemechanism and lower the head into pressing re-` lation with the buck; a pivoted lever cooperating with the treadle lever to normally hold the same in its depressed position; power actuated means for exerting a heavy pls'sure through the toggle mechanism; a

k for the lever adapted to hold the same in its locked relation to the treadle lever; and means associated'withthe power means for releasing saidJock and moving the'lockress, the combination of a buck; a head; a ever supporting said head; meansv ing lever to its released position upon movementof the power means to release position.

(i. In a press, the combination of a buck; a head; "a pivoted lever to which the head is attaehed;j.toggle mechanism for swinging the lever and bringing the head into pressing relation with the buck; a treadle lever; connections intermediate said treadle lever and the toggle `mechanism for actuating the latter in one direction; a locking lever, the lower .end whereof is adapted to cooperate with the'trea'dle lever to hohl :the same in its depressed condition with the head in pressingrelation to the buck; a

second treadle; 'connections between said second treadle andthe lockmg lever whereby :the latter' may be disengaged from the lease movement of the heavy pressure applying means. p

o7'. In a press, the combination of a buck;

a. pivoted-lever; a head 'carried thereby;

toggle mechanism .for swinging said lever and bringing thehead into pressing relation with the buck; atreadle lever; connections lntermediate the toggle mechanism and the treadle lever for swmging'the lever; a locking lever, -the lower end of which is provided with a shouldered portion; a roller mounted upon the treadle lever adapted to coact with said shouldered portion; aspring serving normally to throw said lever/ into engagement with the roller; an release treadle ycooperating with a member carried by the locking lever; an. arm 1extending rigidly f from the locking lever; means for applying heavy pressure'to the press `through the toggle mechanism; a gravitating lock adapted to lock the locking `lever against movement when the heavy pressure'is exerted; a ,rod' vassociated and. moveable with said heavy ,pressure apply1ng-means;a supporting' element for said Tod, said element extend-ing downwardly from the arm aforesaid; and a stop secured to the rod'land adapted to coact with the lock vto'move .the same to release position as the heavy pressure` applymgmeans 1s brought to release position;

8. In a press, the combination of a buck;

a pvoted lever; a head carried thereby; tog- -`gle mechanism forswmging said lever and bringing` the head into pressing relation with` the buck; a. treadle lever; connections inter.- mediate the toggle mechanism and (the treadle lever for'swinging the lever; a locking lever, the lower end of which is proheavy pressure is exerted; a rod associatedv vided with a shouldered portion; aroller mounted upon the treadle lever adapted-"to coa'ct with said shouldered portion; a spring serving normally to throw said lever into engagement with the roller; a release treadle cooperating with a member carried by the locking lever; an arm extending rigidly from the locking lever; means for applying heavy pressure to the press through the toggle mechanism; a gravitating lock adapted to lock the lever against movementwhen the and movable with said heavy, pressure applying means; a supporting element for said rod, said element extending downwardly from the arm aforesaid; a stop secured to the rod, adapted to cooperate withthe lock to release 'the same; and an abutment car`v ried by the locking lever, said abutment adapted to coact with the end of the rod when said rody is moved endwise during the release of the heavy pressure applied to the .press by the heavy pressure applying mechanism. y

9. In a press; the combination of .two relatively movable pressing elements; means adapted to be actuated by the operator to move `fsaid elements into pressing relation; locking mechanism to hold the aforesaid means against release movement; means under the control of the, operator to releasethe locking mechanism; fpower actuated means for exerting heavy pressure between the pressing elements after tlny have been brought to .their initial close 4 position` including an electric motor; circuit closing means for said motor; and means actuated by and workin in timed relation with the power actuate means for moving the circuit controlling means to make and break the circuit. 10. In a press, the combination of two relatively movable pressmg elements means adapt/ed to be actuated by the operatorv to move said elements into pressing'relaton; locking mechanism to hold the aforesaid means against release movement; means under the control of the operator to release the locking mechanism; power' actuated means for exerting heavy `pressure between tne pressing elements after they havebeen brought to their initial closed position,` including an elect-ric motor; circuit closing means vfor said motor; means-actuated by and working in timed relation with *the powerlactuated means for moving thecirr cuit controlling means to make and break the circuit; and means under the control of the operator for arresting the movement of the circuit controlling means whereby the' circuit may be held open and the press elements allowed to remain in their closed position with the heavy pressure exerted thereon.

11.. In a press, the combination of two 'relatively movable pressing elements; means adapted to be actuated by theoperator to' move said elements into pressing relation;

'locking mechanism to hold the aforesaid means against release movement;` means under the control of the operator to release the .locking mechanism; power actuated means for exerting heavy pressure between the pressing elements after they havebeen brought to their initial closed position, including an electric motor; circuit closing means for lsaid motor; means actuated by and working in timed relation with the power actuated means for moving the circuit controlling means to make and break the circuit; and mechanism controlled by lthe power mechanism to lock the locking means against release by the operator.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this'specication.

HERBERT E. PAGE. 

